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Socializing after Having a Baby - Challenges & Tips to Maintain Social Life
Once you have a child, he or she becomes the centre of your world while your social life tends to take a back seat. It is important not to let either side go and keep a balance between your child-rearing and your social life.
Importance of Social Life for New Parents
When a baby enters your life, it’s a joyful occasion but also a lonely and stressful period for most moms and dads, especially if they have always been socially active. Giving birth to a baby and the early stages of parenting are emotionally a rollercoaster ride. Having someone around to talk to, complain to or cry with during this period is a godsend for you as a parent.
What Challenges Can Parents Face while Trying to Socialize After Having a Baby?
You know having a baby will change your life. But did you know your existing friendships can also be affected? Here are a few challenges you have to be ready for:
1. Singles Effect
A new baby means fewer nights out with your single friends. They may stop calling you when they go out together thinking that you’re too busy or not interested to go out with them when you have a baby at home. Or maybe you might feel reluctant to call them thinking you may have less in common with them than before.
2. Spontaneity Will Be Less
You and your spouse may not be available for last minute movie or dinner plan like before. Even having friends drop by unexpectedly at your house during odd times will become difficult because you have a tiny baby to take care of. Whatever spare time you have will be spent either sleeping or relaxing. As a result, your friends might stop calling or coming home out of consideration for you.
3. Couples Effect
You and your partner might start being more interested in spending time with other couples who have babies, on account of common things to talk about. But don’t cut off your other friendships for this!
4. Free Advice
You might get irritated when each time you meet your friends, some of them give you too much unnecessary advice on parenting. You might want to meet them less if that is the case. But if you have friends who give your constructive advice, then they are a blessing and can be a strong support to you.
Impact on Social Life When Your Infant Hits Toddlerhood
Things will continue to change when your baby gets older. For example,
1. A Bigger Circle
Your baby will play with whichever friend you introduce him to in the beginning. He or she will get friendly with your friend’s children. But as they grow older, they will start to make friends of their own, and you may end up socialising with their friend’s parents. In this way, your friend circle will widen.
2. Competition
Your friendships with new and old friends may be affected once your kids start growing up. All parents want their child to be the smartest and fastest and best at school. This will create competition with your other friends who have children, and if you’re not careful, you may find yourself becoming a pushy parent.
Tips to Make Socialising Easy While Parenting a Newborn
Maintaining friendships after baby birth can be hard but still worthwhile in the long run. Here are tips on how to socialise while parenting a baby:
1. Accept Change
Once a baby comes in your life, you’ll be constantly sleep-deprived, tired or frustrated. You will end up losing some friends, or they may lose you. But don’t fret, there are plenty of new friends to make in the process.
2. Make Dates
It’s easy to make vague promises of when you’ll meet your friends and getting caught up taking care of your newborn and forgetting it. So program the date into your schedule, set reminders in your phone and tell your friends what time you will be free to meet them without activities like feeding your child or bathing him coming in the way.
3. Have Conversations
Once you have a baby, you may be too busy and miss out talking to your friends or returning their messages. Even if they may understand, this might cause a strain on your friendship. That’s why it is important to always communicate with a message or call that things are busy with you. Just short but constant communication can reassure them.
4. Just Relax
If some of your friends don’t seem as understanding or taken with your baby as you are, don’t take it personally. They may be going through problems of their own, so if they don’t seem supportive, just relax and let it slide. This will also help sustain your friendship.
5. Watch What You Say
Not everyone wants to continually hear you chatter about your baby, so talk about different things too in your conversation with friends.
6. Don’t Succumb to Pressure
If your friends pressure you to leave parenting to your partner, don’t listen. Jump in to do it yourself. Avoid such company at all costs.
7. Watch the Competition
You may be envious of your friends baby does something better than yours but stop that thought process immediately. Having such negative feelings towards your friends is not worth causing a row.
8. Take a Night Off
Leave your baby to your spouse for one night and hang out with your friends freely. This is the time you can use to really revive your friendships and get refreshed.
9. Include Your Kids
Think of activities you can do with your friends that they will like, even with your baby in tow. You can spend time both with your precious friend and your baby at the same time.
10. Join an Online Group
You can have a social life virtually too by connecting with like-minded parents on online parenting forums or social media groups.
Maintaining friendships after your little one arrives may require many adjustments, but will definitely be worth the time and effort.
Also Read: Should You Take Parenting Classes? Read more
Suggested for you
Kesar Pista Cookies
Kesar and pista is a classic Indian combination of flavours; from ice cream, puddings to milk shakes, you will find in many Indian desserts. Here, we have tried to incorporate the delicious combination in cookies. Set aside your regular cookies and serve these to your kids with a glass of hot milk. The warm flavours of kesar and pista will leave them wanting for more.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
10 People
10 - 15 Minutes
15 - 20 Minutes
Ingredients
200 gm maida or all-purpose flour
2 tbsp vanilla custard powder
A generous pinch of baking soda
100 gm powdered sugar
100 gm ghee
2 cardamom pods freshly powdered
¼ tsp nutmeg powder
12-15 strands of Kesar
1 tsp rose water
Sliced almonds and pista
Method
Step 1
Soak kesar in rose water. In a small pestle and mortar, rub it nicely to get a kesar paste. Preheat the oven at 180 C and grease a baking tray.
Step 2
In a large bowl, add maida, custard powder, sugar, powdered cardamom, nutmeg powder and baking soda. Add the kesar paste.
Step 3
Now add melted ghee into the dry mixture and using your hands form a nice dough.
Step 4
Place the dough on a plastic sheet and cover it with another plastic. Using a rolling pin flatten the dough.
Step 5
Place them on the prepared baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 12- 15 minutes. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Calories
213 K cal
Proteins
3.2 g
Fats
10.6 g
Carbohydrates
26.9 g
Cholesterol
22 mg
Sodium
9 mg
Potassium
65 mg
Tip: These cookies will stay well in an airtight container up to a month. So, you can make them in large batches. Read more
Suggested for you
Staycations with inlaws is a love boon for safe haven for our children
A mother wants the best for her child along side a safe & a healthy environment, which is the best when we stay joined with our in laws .
Not many are fortunate to have get this sort of environment, with the current rapid changing world , raising child alone is definitely a challenge & one wouldn’t learn lot of things . Where as the child raised
in an inlaws environment tend to learn love, perseverance , adaptability & responsibility, since he is exposed to so many situations in a joint family with inlaws & they too will take time to teach once’s kid with various valuable teachings
& in turn will grow up to a man of good virtues & good though which is definitely lacks in nuclear family .
Kid raised with inlaws tend to learn much faster , better raised as he living with different age group peoples so there are various learning opportunities .
With this busy world where in maximum cases both parents tend to work, it’s hard for the parents to devote quality time to their kids to learn, this void can be definitely fulfilled when stay with inlaws who will not
only take care of our kids in our absence but give that love , bond & quality time education one requires during their premature days .
In today’s world being in nuclear family is demanding with growing technology kids are prone to many unsafe environment, which can be avoid when he is able to spend those times with his grandparents.
The love , care and teaching that the child receives from elders of the family is definitely builds a base for a better person for an challenging & demanding environment of tomorrow.
Last but not the least one can see living with the inlaws a safe haven for child upbringing in various ways , hence staying with inlaws is definitely a boon . Read more
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A Definitive Potty Training Guide For Twins
Potty training of twins can be a tough task to accomplish, as there are chances that both twins will react differently to the training. Follow some easy steps to ensure that both toddlers are able to understand, learn and follow the steps for training properly.
Tips to Potty Train Twins
Initially, parents have to gauge if the twins are ready to be potty trained. Generally, the toddlers are ready by the age of two and a half years, and in some cases toddlers are ready at 18 months too.
It is easier to potty train both the toddlers together. Both of them will be influenced by each other and will give each other company as well. The kids may benefit from each others’ companionship, and you can encourage both of them by challenging each others’ success and setbacks.
Rewards can be put to use while potty training. The parent can challenge both the twins on who learns to poop properly in the pot and the winning twin will receive a reward.
Two separate potty seats should be bought, because the twins may not want to use the same potty seats with each other, even if used interchangeably.
During the potty training of twins, there will be setbacks and accidents. However don’t freak out, as like every other experience, the twins will learn from their mistakes.
While potty training, the parent has to be flexible enough to understand that both the twins require different ways in which they can be potty trained. Implementing flexibility in behavior is the key to success!
So, if you have been getting nightmares about how to potty train your twins, it is time to implement these tips in your daily routine. Soon your little ones will be a pro on using the potty seat when they need it, without your help. Read more
Suggested for you
Review of Babyhug's Suction Bowl With Spoon for kids
Babyhug Suction Bowl is a true blessing for a mom of a baby aged 6 months plus. With the growing and active babies, it is quite a task to feed your child while running and holding the plates, bowls etc. It is thus, extremely important to have a handy, and a safe bowl to feed your child. Babyhug’s suction bowl is that one product which the mommies can rely on. It is convenient to hold, is travel friendly and is made of a safe material too. It is a blessing in disguise for all the mommies struggling to balance everything on their plate and feed their child a healthy and nutritious diet too.
It is a good product and is made considering the difficult time a mom faces while feeding her child. It is safe, convenient to use and can be carried while travelling as well. It is lightweight and can be easily carried and cleaned even while travelling.
I liked the thoughtfulness of the company to have a spoon holder that covers the spoon’s head. It is hygienic and so easy to carry. In addition to this I also liked the suction base which helps in preventing the bowl from spilling. At least, it will prevent the child from playing with the bowl while eating. The quantity of the bowl is good enough as well for a child till the age of 4 years or so. The bowl is big enough to hold an appropriate quantity of food for even slightly older children.
However, I would suggest the company to make a bigger spoon, that is, the head of the spoon. It is quite small to hold any food in it. It holds very little food and toddlers may actually end up spilling the food unintentionally.
Overall, it is a wonderful product to choose. It, not only, holds enough food but also helps the baby to learn how to self feed. I would strongly recommend the mommies to get this wonderful quality product to feed theur little ones. Its quality is great and so is the product overall. Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
13 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts What should I buy for my baby however I'm just expecting in 2 month
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
13 hours ago
A. you can get information regarding essentials of the new ones watch any YouTube channel. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
13 hours ago
Q. I got faint line all my pregnancy test and I missed my periods for 10 days but USG and TVs test confirm there is no pregnancy is there any chance that it is very early stage that's why it is not visible???? or TVs test is the last thing that can tell that really there is no pregnancy
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
12 hours ago
A. I think it would be advisable for you to get an ultrasound done with your doctor that’s going to give you a clarity because if there is a pregnancy it would be visible at least at least that sack is visible if it’s a regular pregnancy so it would be advisable to have a test with your doctor
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. mere twins baby girl and boyhai one month 8 days old kya mai ghutti de sakte hun ya gripe water de sakte hun aur kab se start kar sakte hun
Dr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
8 hours ago
A. dear Mum, you should not give any sort of gripe water or ghutti to your baby. these are unhealthy and dangerous and can cause infection to your baby. so, these should be completely avoided.
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant.I recently had growth scan.mu baby is in cephalic presentation. Does this change as I approach my due date. Also my EDD is July 25 and EDC is July 2. what is my expected due date. Also what is EDC?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. edc is expected date of delivery only.
that is 40 weeks
You will get more information for your query with your family doctor. You may meet your dr in person for proper guidance .
It is important to remain in contact with your doctor.
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
8 hours ago
Q. why I am getting dizziness in my pregnancy
I am going with 3rd month of my pregnancy it's a very strong dizziness I feel at times means every day .....no other symptoms of pregnancy .Please help with elaboration .All okay means isn't part of this journey.
Read moreAbhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a gynaecologist and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant and had growth scan recently.My baby is in cephalic presentation.does this change after 36 week or does this remain the same?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
37 mins ago
A. usually fixed. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the child
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- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive